In my pursuit of sexual purity and saving not only my body but heart for my future husband, I’ve always likened the physical purity as waiting for butter. Butter is the real thing and, when made the way God intended, is healthier and better for you than anything offered on store shelves. Sex in the confines of marriage–the way God intended–is the best. Anything less is margarine. Just a substitute.
Let’s list a couple of the offered substitutes in today’s society:
- Coke vs. generic
- Butter vs. margarine
- iPod vs. any other mp3 player
- Off-brands in general are substitutes for the real thing (definitely not knocking off-brands, that’s basically the only way to shop- I adore Aldi’s)
So in a world full of substitutes (and let’s just face it, most substitutes aren’t as great as the real thing… you can usually tell a difference in quality, taste, and overall satisfaction), Jesus died a substitutional death. (Can I get an amen for the substitute of my sins?) The only substitute that is better than the real thing.
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4
He died as a substitute for my sins so I would have too.
Anything less than God’s best may bring temporary (fleeting) happiness, but will not satisfy. God gave His best because He was the only One who could satisfy His judgement.
What an amazing substitute.
Sophie Miller 